The past, present, and future of cancer incidence in the United States: 1975 through 2020

Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Cancer Treatment for Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Background: Aging is a multifaceted process that may lead to an increased risk of developing cancer. Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in clinical cancer research may optimize cancer treatments, improve patient care, and minimize risks, prompting AI to receive high levels of attention in clinical medicine. This systematic review aims to synthesize current articles about the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in cancer treatments for older adults. Methods: We conducted a systematic review by searching CINAHL, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE via EBSCO. We also conducted forward and backward hand searching for a comprehensive search. Eligible studies included a study population of older adults (60 and older) with cancer, used AI technology to treat cancer, and were published in a peer-reviewed journal in English. This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024529270). Results: This systematic review identified seven articles focusing on lung, breast, and gastrointestinal cancers. They were predominantly conducted in the USA (42.9%), with others from India, China, and Germany. The measures of overall and progression-free survival, local control, and treatment plan concordance suggested that AI interventions were equally or less effective than standard care in treating older adult cancer patients. Conclusions: Despite promising initial findings, the utility of AI technologies in cancer treatment for older adults remains in its early stages, as further developments are necessary to enhance accuracy, consistency, and reliability for broader clinical use.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with De-escalation of Anti-TNFs in Older Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Medicare Claims-Based Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to evaluate prevalence and factors associated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) de-escalation in older adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

We identified adults ≥ 66 years of age with RA on anti-TNF therapy within 6 months after RA diagnosis with at least 6-7 months duration of use (proxy for stable use), using 20% Medicare data from 2008-2017. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics, including concomitant use of glucocorticoid (GC), were collected. Anti-TNF use was categorized as either de-escalation (identified by dosing interval increase, dose reduction, or cessation of use) or continuation. We used (1) an observational cohort design with Cox regression to assess patient characteristics associated with de-escalation and (2) a case-control design with propensity score-adjusted logistic regression to assess the association of de-escalation with different clinical conditions and concomitant medication use.

RESULTS

We identified 5106 Medicare beneficiaries with RA on anti-TNF, 65.5% of whom had de-escalation. De-escalation was more likely with older age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.02) or greater comorbidity (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.09), but was less likely with low-income subsidy status (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.92), adjusting for patient sex and race/ethnicity. Lower odds of de-escalation were associated with serious infection (odds ratio [OR] 0.79, 95% CI 0.66-0.94), new heart failure diagnosis (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52-0.95), and long-term GC use (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95), whereas higher odds were associated with concomitant methotrexate use (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03-1.31).

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-TNFs are de-escalated in two-thirds of older adults with RA in usual care. Further study is needed on RA outcomes after anti-TNF de-escalation.

Informed Consent among Clinical Trial Participants with Different Cancer Diagnoses

IMPORTANCE

Informed consent is essential to ethical, rigorous research and is important to recruitment and retention in cancer trials.

OBJECTIVE

To examine cancer clinical trial (CCT) participants' perceptions of informed consent processes and variations in perceptions by cancer type.

DESIGN AND SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Cross-sectional survey from mixed-methods study at National Cancer Institute-designated Northeast comprehensive cancer center. Open-ended and forced-choice items addressed: (1) enrollment and informed consent experiences and (2) decision-making processes, including risk-benefit assessment. Eligibility: CCT participant with gastro-intestinal or genitourinary, hematologic-lymphatic malignancies, lung cancer, and breast or gynecological cancer (N = 334).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Percentages satisfied with consent process and information provided; and assessing participation's perceptions of risks/benefits. Multivariable logistic or ordinal regression examined differences by cancer type.

RESULTS

Most patient-participants felt well informed by the consent process (more than 90% overall and by cancer type) and. most (87.4%) reported that the consent form provided all the information they wanted, although nearly half (44.8%) reported that they read the form somewhat carefully or less. More than half (57.9%) said that talking to research staff (i.e., the consent process) had a greater impact on participation decisions than reading the consent form (2.1%). A third (31.1%) were very sure of joining in research studies before the informed consent process (almost half of lung cancer patients did-47.1%). Most patients personally assessed the risks and benefits before consenting. However, trust in physicians played an important role in the decision to enroll in CCT.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Cancer patients rely less on written features of the informed consent process than on information obtained from the research staff and their own physicians. Research should focus on information and communication strategies that support informed consent from referring physicians, researchers, and others to improve patient risk-benefit assessment and decision-making.

Changing Cancer Trends in District Dir, Pakistan: Epidemiological Insights From a 10-Year Hospital-Based Study

Background More alarming than the rise of cancer globally is its discreet changing profiles over the years. According to our knowledge, no new studies on cancer have taken place in Dir since 2004. Hence, we aimed to provide and analyze the cancer trends in district Dir, Malakand division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), regarding its prevalence and incidence, and compare it nationally and internationally. Methods A retrospective study was conducted by collecting data from 2647 clinically diagnosed cancer patients of all ages in district Dir, between the years 2008 and 2017, from the Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM), Peshawar. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 and presented using different tables and figures. Results Out of the total patients, 52.7% were male and 47.3% were female. The most common types of cancers in both genders combined were breast (9.0%), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) (6.0%), skin (5.7%), non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) (5.6%), and brain tumor (5.2%). The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) in males in 2017 was peaking in the age group 60-69 (2707.2) with the most prevalent cancer being NHL (7.7%). In females, ASIR was highest in the age group 30-39 (2500.8) with the majority having breast cancer (18.1%), and in children, ALL (30.9%) was most prevalent. Incidence was highest in 2014 with a staggering 15 cases/100,000 population. Cancer prevalence in females aged 50 and below was significantly higher (p<0.001) compared to males. Conclusion Our study highlights that cancer profiles in Dir in the past two decades have changed with certain results non-conforming to global and regional trends. A follow-up research should be carried out to further ascertain and analyze these diverging results in hopes of drawing a more concrete conclusion from these findings.

A novel preclinical model of the normal human breast

Improved screening and treatment have decreased breast cancer mortality, although incidence continues to rise. Women at increased risk of breast cancer can be offered risk reducing treatments, such as tamoxifen, but this has not been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality. New, more efficacious, risk-reducing agents are needed. The identification of novel candidates for prevention is hampered by a lack of good preclinical models. Current patient derived in vitro and in vivo models cannot fully recapitulate the complexities of the human tissue, lacking human extracellular matrix, stroma, and immune cells, all of which are known to influence therapy response. Here we describe a normal breast explant model utilising a tuneable hydrogel which maintains epithelial proliferation, hormone receptor expression, and residency of T cells and macrophages over 7 days. Unlike other organotypic tissue cultures which are often limited by hyper-proliferation, loss of hormone signalling, and short treatment windows (< 48h), our model shows that tissue remains viable over 7 days with none of these early changes. This offers a powerful and unique opportunity to model the normal breast and study changes in response to various risk factors, such as breast density and hormone exposure. Further validation of the model, using samples from patients undergoing preventive therapies, will hopefully confirm this to be a valuable tool, allowing us to test novel agents for breast cancer risk reduction preclinically.

Social inequalities in the use of physiotherapy in women diagnosed with breast cancer in Barcelona: DAMA cohort

PURPOSE

This study aimed to analyze social inequalities in the use and access of physiotherapy service and its clinical and socio-economic determinants in women diagnosed with breast cancer in the hospital network of Barcelona.

METHODS

Data from 2235 women belonging to the mixed (prospective and retrospective) DAMA Cohort were analyzed, including demographic, socio-economic, clinical, and breast cancer treatment outcomes. To determine the influence of such variables on access to physiotherapy, different Poisson regression models with robust variance (obtaining Prevalence Ratios and confidence intervals) were estimated.

RESULTS

Although when experiencing different chronic and acute symptoms, only between 20 and 35% of women visited physiotherapist. Two out of 3 women reported to have received insufficient information about medical care and rehabilitation. Age of women, job occupation, education level, having a mutual or private insurance, as well as outcomes related to breast cancer, appear to be factors influencing the access to physiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Social and economic inequalities exist on the access to physiotherapy by women diagnosed with breast cancer, which is generally low, and may clearly impact on their functional recovery. Promoting strategies to reduce social bias, as well as improve communication and patient information regarding physiotherapy may be of interest for a better health care in breast cancer diagnosed women.

A multicenter case-controlled study on laparoscopic hepatectomy versus microwave ablation as first-line therapy for 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma in patients aged 60 and older

BACKGROUND

There is currently a lack of convincing evidence for microwave ablation (MWA) and laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for patients ≥60 years old with 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were divided into three cohorts based on restricted cubic spline analysis: 60-64, 65-72, and ≥73 years. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the baseline variables in a 1:1 ratio. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed, followed by a comparison of complications, hospitalization, and cost.

RESULTS

Among 672 patients, the median age was 66 (IQR 62-71) years. After PSM, two groups of 210 patients each were selected. During the 36.0 (20.4-52.4) month follow-up period, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates in the MWA group were 97.6, 80.9, and 65.3% and 95.5, 78.7, and 60.4% in the LLR group (HR 0.98, P =0.900). The corresponding DFS rates were 78.6, 49.6, and 37.5% and 82.8, 67.8, and 52.9% (HR 1.52, P =0.007). The 60-64 age cohort involved 176 patients, with no a significant difference in OS between the MWA and LLR groups (HR 1.25, P =0.370), MWA was associated with a higher recurrence rate (HR 1.94, P =0.004). A total of 146 patients were matched in the 65-72 age cohort, with no significant differences in OS and DFS between the two groups (OS (HR 1.04, P =0.900), DFS (HR 1.56, P =0.110)). In 76 patients aged ≥73 years after PSM, MWA provided better OS for patients (HR 0.27, P =0.015), and there were no significant differences in DFS between the two groups (HR 1.41, P =0.380). Taken together, for patients older than 65 years, the recurrence rate of MWA was comparable with LLR. Safety analysis indicated that LLR was associated with more postoperative bleeding ( P =0.032) and hypoproteinemia ( P =0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

MWA was comparable to LLR in patients aged 65 years and older. MWA could be an alternative for the oldest old or the ill patients who cannot afford LLR, while LLR is still the first option of treatments for early-stage 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma in capable elderly's.

Smartphone sensors for evaluating COVID-19 fear in patients with cancer: a prospective study

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the association between the behavior of cancer patients, measured using passively and continuously generated data streams from smartphone sensors (as in digital phenotyping), and perceived fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination status.

Methods

A total of 202 patients with different cancer types and undergoing various treatments completed the COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire for Chronic Medical Conditions, and their vaccination status was evaluated. Patients' behaviors were monitored using a smartphone application that passively and continuously captures high-resolution data from personal smartphone sensors. In all, 107 patients were monitored for at least 2 weeks. The study was conducted between August 2022 and August 2023. Distributions of clinical and demographical parameters between fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated patients were compared using the Chi-squared test. The fear of COVID-19 among the groups was compared using the Mann-Whitney and the Kruskal-Wallis criteria. Trajectories of passively generated data were compared as a function of fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination status using local polynomial regression.

Results

In total, 202 patients were included in the study. Most patients were fully (71%) or partially (13%) vaccinated and 16% of the patients were unvaccinated for COVID-19. Fully vaccinated or unvaccinated patients reported greater fear of COVID-19 than partially vaccinated patients. Fear of COVID-19 was higher in patients being treated with biological therapy. Patients who reported a higher fear of COVID-19 spent more time at home, visited places at shorter distances from home, and visited fewer places of interest (POI). Fully or partially vaccinated patients visited more POI than unvaccinated patients. Local polynomial regression using passively generated smartphone sensor data showed that, although at the beginning of the study, all patients had a similar number of POI, after 1 week, partially vaccinated patients had an increased number of POI, which later remained, on average, around four POI per day. Meanwhile, fully vaccinated or unvaccinated patients had a similar trend of POI and it did not exceed three visits per day during the entire treatment period.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on the behavior of cancer patients even after the termination of the global pandemic. A higher perceived fear of COVID-19 was associated with less movement, more time spent at home, less time spent outside of home, and a lower number of visited places. Unvaccinated patients visited fewer places and were moving less overall during a 14-week follow-up as compared to vaccinated patients.

Cancer Prevalence Projections in Japan and Decomposition Analysis of Changes in Cancer Burden, 2020-2050: A Statistical Modeling Study

BACKGROUND

We provide comprehensive sex-stratified projections of cancer prevalence for 22 cancer sites in Japan from 2020 to 2050.

METHODS

Using a scenario-based approach, we projected cancer prevalence by combining projected incidence cases and survival probabilities. Age-specific incidences were forecasted using age-period-cohort models, while survival rates were estimated using a period-analysis approach and multiple parametric survival models. To understand changes in cancer prevalence, decomposition analysis was conducted, assessing the contributions of incidence, survival, and population demographics.

RESULTS

By 2050, cancer prevalence in Japan is projected to reach 3,665,900 (3,210,200 to 4,201,400) thousand cases, representing a 13.1% increase from 2020. This rise is primarily due to a significant increase in female survivors (+27.6%) compared with a modest increase in males (+0.8%), resulting in females overtaking males in prevalence counts from 2040 onward. In 2050, the projected most prevalent cancer sites in Japan include colorectal, female breast, prostate, lung, and stomach cancers, accounting for 66.4% of all survivors. Among males, the highest absolute increases in prevalence are projected for prostate, lung, and malignant lymphoma cancers, while among females, the highest absolute increases are expected for female breast, colorectal, and corpus uteri cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings emphasize the evolving cancer prevalence, influenced by aging populations, changes in cancer incidence rates, and improved survival. Effective prevention, detection, and treatment strategies are crucial to address the growing cancer burden.

IMPACT

This study contributes to comprehensive cancer control strategies and ensures sufficient support for cancer survivors in Japan.

Digital Phenotyping for Monitoring and Disease Trajectory Prediction of Patients With Cancer: Protocol for a Prospective Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Timely recognition of cancer progression and treatment complications is important for treatment guidance. Digital phenotyping is a promising method for precise and remote monitoring of patients in their natural environments by using passively generated data from sensors of personal wearable devices. Further studies are needed to better understand the potential clinical benefits of digital phenotyping approaches to optimize care of patients with cancer.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to evaluate whether passively generated data from smartphone sensors are feasible for remote monitoring of patients with cancer to predict their disease trajectories and patient-centered health outcomes.

METHODS

We will recruit 200 patients undergoing treatment for cancer. Patients will be followed up for 6 months. Passively generated data by sensors of personal smartphone devices (eg, accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS) will be continuously collected using the developed LAIMA smartphone app during follow-up. We will evaluate (1) mobility data by using an accelerometer (mean time of active period, mean time of exertional physical activity, distance covered per day, duration of inactive period), GPS (places of interest visited daily, hospital visits), and gyroscope sensors and (2) sociability indices (frequency of duration of phone calls, frequency and length of text messages, and internet browsing time). Every 2 weeks, patients will be asked to complete questionnaires pertaining to quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire [EORTC QLQ-C30]), depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]), and anxiety symptoms (General Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7]) that will be deployed via the LAIMA app. Clinic visits will take place at 1-3 months and 3-6 months of the study. Patients will be evaluated for disease progression, cancer and treatment complications, and functional status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) by the study oncologist and will complete the questionnaire for evaluating quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30), depression symptoms (PHQ-9), and anxiety symptoms (GAD-7). We will examine the associations among digital, clinical, and patient-reported health outcomes to develop prediction models with clinically meaningful outcomes.

RESULTS

As of July 2023, we have reached the planned recruitment target, and patients are undergoing follow-up. Data collection is expected to be completed by September 2023. The final results should be available within 6 months after study completion.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will provide in-depth insight into temporally and spatially precise trajectories of patients with cancer that will provide a novel digital health approach and will inform the design of future interventional clinical trials in oncology. Our findings will allow a better understanding of the potential clinical value of passively generated smartphone sensor data (digital phenotyping) for continuous and real-time monitoring of patients with cancer for treatment side effects, cancer complications, functional status, and patient-reported outcomes as well as prediction of disease progression or trajectories.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/49096.

Baseline renal function and the risk of cancer among apparently healthy middle-aged adults

BACKGROUND

The association between mildly impaired renal function with all-site and site-specific cancer risk is not established. We aim to explore this association among apparently healthy adults.

METHODS

We followed 25,073 men and women, aged 40-79 years, free of cancer or cardiovascular disease at baseline who were screened annually in preventive healthcare settings. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation (CKD-EPI) and classified into four mutually exclusive groups: <60, 60-74, 75-89, ≥90 (mL/min/1.73 m²). The primary outcome was all-site cancer while the secondary outcome was site-specific cancer. Cancer data was available from a national registry.

RESULTS

Mean age at baseline was 50 ± 8 years and 7973 (32 %) were women. During a median follow-up of 9 years (IQR 3-16) and 256,279 person years, 2045 (8.2 %) participants were diagnosed with cancer. Multivariable Cox model showed a 1.2 (95 %CI: 1.0-1.4 p = 0.05), 1.2 (95 %CI: 1.0-1.4 p = 0.02), and 1.4 (95 %CI: 1.1-1.7 p = 0.003) higher risk for cancer with eGFR of 75-89, 60-74, and < 60, respectively. Site-specific analysis demonstrated a 1.8 (95 %CI: 1.2-2.6 p = 0.004), 1.7 (95 %CI: 1.2-2.6 p = 0.004) and 2.2 (95 %CI: 1.3-3.6 p = 0.002) increased risk for prostate cancer with eGFR of 75-89, 60-74, and < 60, respectively. eGFR< 60 was associated with a 2.0 (95 %CI: 1.1-3.7 p = 0.03) and 3.7 (95 %CI: 1.1-13.1 p = 0.04) greater risk for melanoma and gynecological caner respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CKD stage 2 and worse is independently associated with higher risk for cancer incidence, primarily prostate cancer. Early intervention and screening are warranted among these individuals in order to reduce cancer burden.

Quality of life of older gynecologic oncology patients at the initiation of chemotherapy

AIM

To evaluate older gynecologic oncology patients' quality of life (QOL) at the initiation of chemotherapy and compare their QOL scores with a female age-matched general population (GP) sample.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHODS

Older (n = 122) gynecologic oncology patients completed the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) that evaluates global health and five functional scales (range from 0 to 100). Differences in QOL scores between our sample and the GP were evaluated using one-sample t-tests and effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d.

RESULTS

Patients' mean age was 70.7 years (±6.6). Mean scores for the function scales ranged from 58.5 (±31.1) for role function to 86.1 (±17.0) for cognitive function. Compared to the GP, our sample reported significantly lower scores for global health status, social, role and physical functioning, and a significantly higher score for cognitive functioning. No differences were found in emotional functioning scores.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Dermoscopy of melanoma according to different body sites: Head and neck, trunk, limbs, nail, mucosal and acral

Effective cancer screening detects early-stage tumours, leading to a lower incidence of late-stage disease over time. Dermoscopy is the gold standard for skin cancer diagnosis as diagnostic accuracy is improved compared to naked eye examinations. As melanoma dermoscopic features are often body site specific, awareness of common features according to their location is imperative for improved melanoma diagnostic accuracy. Several criteria have been identified according to the anatomical location of the melanoma. This review provides a comprehensive and contemporary review of dermoscopic melanoma criteria according to specific body sites, including frequently observed melanoma of the head/neck, trunk and limbs and special site melanomas, located on the nail, mucosal and acral region.

Regional and national burden of prostate cancer: incidence, mortality, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life years, in Mexico and Latin America from 1990 to 2019

PURPOSE

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second leading cause of cancer and the fifth cause of cancer-related death. This manuscript aims to determine the incidence, mortality, and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) trends of PC in the last 30 years in Latin America and Mexico.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a publicly available data set. Data regarding the burden of prostate cancer in 20 Latin-American countries, and the 32 states of Mexico, were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Collected information included incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000), as well as the DALYs as absolute numbers and rates (per 100,000) and the annual rates of change in rates from 1990 to 2019.

RESULTS

In Latin America in males aged 55 years or older, the mean incidence rate was 344 cases per 100,000. The number of deaths attributable to prostate cancer observed was 67,110 and the mean mortality rate was 210 per 100,000. The overall burden of disease was 1,120,709 DALYs and the contribution of years of life lost (YLL) was 91.7% ([Formula: see text] = 1,027,946). Mexico presented an incidence rate (279.6) and mortality (99.1) rate (per /100 thousand). In Mexico, 13 states had a DALYs' rate above the national mean (883 per 100,000) and the highest burden (1360 DALYs/100,000) were documented in the state of Guerrero (Southwestern Mexico).

CONCLUSION

Only two Latin-American countries (Brazil and Colombia) and eight states of Mexico showed a decreased trend about the rate of change of DALYs in the last 30 years.

Frailty and medical financial hardship among older adults with cancer in the United States

Background

Little is known about the association between frailty level and medical financial hardship among older adults with cancer. This study aims to describe the prevalence of frailty and to identify its association with medical financial hardship among older cancer survivors in the United States.

Methods

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS; 2019-2020) was used to identify older cancer survivors (n = 3,919). Both the five-item (Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Low weight-for-height) FRAIL and the three-domain (Material, Psychological, and Behavioral) medical financial hardship questions were constructed based on the NHIS questionnaire. Multivariable logistic models were used to identify the frailty level associated with financial hardship and its intensity.

Results

A total of 1,583 (40.3%) older individuals with cancer were robust, 1,421 (35.9%) were pre-frail, and 915 (23.8%) were frail. Compared with robust cancer survivors in adjusted analyses, frail cancer survivors were more likely to report issues with material domain (odds ratio (OR) = 3.19, 95%CI: 2.16-4.69; p < 0.001), psychological domain (OR = 1.47, 95%CI: 1.15-1.88; p < 0.001), or behavioral domain (ORs ranged from 2.19 to 2.90, all with p < 0.050), and greater intensities of financial hardship.

Conclusion

Both pre-frail and frailty statuses are common in the elderly cancer survivor population, and frail cancer survivors are vulnerable to three-domain financial hardships as compared with robust cancer survivors. Ongoing attention to frailty highlights the healthy aging of older survivors, and efforts to targeted interventions should address geriatric vulnerabilities during cancer survivorship.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Proliferative Properties of Stachys circinata on HepG2 and MCF7 Cells

According to the WHO, the overall age-standardized cancer rate keeps declining, and the number of cases diagnosed each year increases, remaining among the leading causes of death in 91 out of 172 recorded countries. In this context, novel cancer prediction and therapeutic protocols are compulsory. The effect of a Stachys circinata L'Hér dichloromethane extract (ScDME) on cell redox homeostasis and tumor proliferation was investigated. HepG2 cell feedback mechanisms to oxidative stress exposure were evaluated by determining catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH), following the supply with ScDME (0.0-5.7 µg/µL). Cytotoxicity of ScDME against the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and two human cancer cell lines (breast: MCF7; liver: HepG2) was evaluated by the MTT assay. H₂O₂-stressed HepG2 cells supplied with the S. circinata extracts exhibited significantly increased CAT and GSH activity as compared to unsupplied ones. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was evaluated by real time-qPCR on IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α expression. As a result, this research points out that S. circinata dichloromethane extract owns anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties against MCF7 and HepG2 cells and activates CAT and GSH of the HepG2 cells' antioxidant enzyme system.

Projections of Lung Cancer Incidence by 2035 in 40 Countries Worldwide: Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

The global burden of lung cancer (LC) is increasing. Quantitative projections of the future LC burden in different world regions could help optimize the allocation of resources and provide a benchmark for evaluating LC prevention and control interventions.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to predict the future incidence of LC in 40 countries by 2035, with an emphasis on country- and sex-specific disparities.

METHODS

Data on LC incidence from 1978 to 2012 were extracted from 126 cancer registries of 40 countries in Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Volumes V-XI and used for the projection. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) per 100,000 person-years and the number of incident cases were predicted through 2035, using the NORDPRED age-period-cohort model.

RESULTS

Global ASRs of the 40 studied countries were predicted to decrease by 23% (8.2/35.8) among males, from 35.8 per 100,000 person-years in 2010 to 27.6 in 2035, and increase by 2% (0.3/16.8) among females, from 16.8 in 2010 to 17.1 in 2035. The ASRs of LC among females are projected to continue increasing dramatically in most countries by 2035, with peaks after the 2020s in most European, Eastern Asian, and Oceanian countries, whereas the ASRs among males will continue to decline in almost all countries. The ASRs among females are predicted to almost reach those among males in Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, the United States, and New Zealand in 2025 and in Slovenia in 2035 and even surpass those among males in Denmark in 2020 and in Brazil and Colombia in 2025. In 2035, the highest ASRs are projected to occur among males in Belarus (49.3) and among females in Denmark (36.8). The number of new cases in 40 countries is predicted to increase by 65.32% (858,000/1,314,000), from 1.31 million in 2010 to 2.17 million in 2035. China will have the largest number of new cases.

CONCLUSIONS

LC incidence is expected to continue to increase through 2035 in most countries, making LC a major public health challenge worldwide. The ongoing transition in the epidemiology of LC highlights the need for resource redistribution and improved LC control measures to reduce future LC burden worldwide.

Phytochemical Constituents and Derivatives of Cannabis sativa; Bridging the Gap in Melanoma Treatment

Melanoma is deadly, physically impairing, and has ongoing treatment deficiencies. Current treatment regimens include surgery, targeted kinase inhibitors, immunotherapy, and combined approaches. Each of these treatments face pitfalls, with diminutive five-year survival in patients with advanced metastatic invasion of lymph and secondary organ tissues. Polyphenolic compounds, including cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids; both natural and synthetic, have emerging evidence of nutraceutical, cosmetic and pharmacological potential, including specific anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and palliative utility. Cannabis sativa is a wellspring of medicinal compounds whose direct and adjunctive application may offer considerable relief for melanoma suffers worldwide. This review aims to address the diverse applications of C. sativa's biocompounds in the scope of melanoma and suggest it as a strong candidate for ongoing pharmacological evaluation.

Impact of Access to Breast Care For West Texas Program on Early Detection and Regional Breast Cancer Mortality

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to assess whether the Access to Breast Care for West Texas (ABC4WT) program impacted regional breast cancer detection and mortality in the Texas Council of Governments (COG)1 region.

METHODS

Interrupted time series analyses were utilized to evaluate the impact of the intervention. Spearman's rank correlation and cross-orrelation analyses were performed to assess the relationship between the total number of screenings and (i) the total number of breast cancer detected and (ii) the proportion of early-stage cancer detected and the (pre-whitened) residuals. A three-way interaction model compared pre-and post-intervention mortality in COG 1 with the COG 9 region (control).

RESULTS

Increased screening rate was associated with increased breast and early-stage cancer incidences (P = .001 and P = .002, respectively). There were significant positive cross-correlations between the total number of screenings and the total number of breast cancer detected (r = .996) and the proportion of early-stage cancer detected (r = .709) without a lag even after pre-whitening. Univariate analysis showed that regional mortality decreased with time (P < .001) and after intervention (P = .001). Multivariate analysis did not show any significant difference in time (P = .594), intervention (P = .453), and time and intervention interaction (P = .273). The three-way interaction model showed no difference in the baseline mortality and pre-intervention trend difference in COG 1 and COG 9 regions. However, there was a significant pre-post intervention trend difference in mortality COG 1 compared to the COG 9 region (P = .041).

CONCLUSION

Implementing the ABC4WT program was associated with the early detection of breast cancer and reducing regional mortality in the COG 1 region.

Long-Term Projections of Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Japan and Decomposition Analysis of Changes in Cancer Burden, 2020-2054: An Empirical Validation Approach

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to project new cancer cases/deaths forward to 2054, and decompose changes in cancer cases/deaths to assess the impact of demographic transitions on cancer burden.

METHODS

We collected data on cancer cases/deaths up to 2019, empirically validated the projection performance of multiple statistical models, and selected optimal models by applying time series cross-validation.

RESULTS

We showed an increasing number of new cancer cases but decreasing number of cancer deaths in both genders, with a large burden attributed to population aging. We observed the increasing incidence rates in most cancer sites but reducing rates in some infection-associated cancers, including stomach and liver cancers. Colorectal and lung cancers were projected to remain as leading cancer burdens of both incidence and mortality in Japan over 2020-2054, while prostate and female breast cancers would be the leading incidence burdens among men and women, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from decomposition analysis require more supportive interventions for reducing mortality and improving the quality of life of Japanese elders. We emphasize the important role of governments and policymakers in reforming policies for controlling cancer risk factors, including oncogenic infections. The rapid increase and continued presence of those cancer burdens associated with modifiable risk factors warrant greater efforts in cancer control programs, specifically in enhancing cancer screening and controlling cancer risk factors in Japan.

Adverse Events Following Limited Resection versus Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Early Stage Lung Cancer

Rationale: Approximately a quarter of patients with early stage lung cancer are not medically fit for lobectomy. Limited resection and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) have emerged as alternatives for these patients. Given the equipoise on the effectiveness of the two treatments, treatment-related adverse events (AEs) could have a significant impact on patients' decision-making and treatment outcomes. Objectives: To compare the AE profile between SBRT versus limited resection. Methods: Data were derived from a prospective cohort of patients with stage I-IIA non-small cell lung cancer who were deemed as high-risk for lobectomy recruited from five centers across the United States. Propensity scores and inverse probability weighting were used to compare the rates of 30- and 90-day AEs among patients treated with limited resection versus SBRT. Results: Overall, 65% of 252 patients underwent SBRT. After adjusting for propensity scores, there was no significant difference in developing at least one AE comparing SBRT to limited resection (odds ratio [OR]: 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65-1.55 and OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 0.84-1.91 at 30 and 90 days, respectively). SBRT was associated with lower risk of infectious AEs than limited resection at 30 days (OR: 0.05; 95% CI: 0.01-0.39) and 90 days posttreatment (OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.17-0.98). Additionally, SBRT was associated with persistently elevated risk of fatigue (OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.34-4.54 at 30 days and OR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.52-4.77 at 90 days, respectively), but significantly lower risks of respiratory AEs (OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.20-0.65 and OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.31-0.86 at 30 and 90 days, respectively). Conclusions: Though equivalent in developing at least one AE, we found that SBRT is associated with less toxicity than limited resection in terms of infectious and respiratory AEs but higher rates of fatigue that persisted up to 3 months posttreatment. This information, combined with data about oncologic effectiveness, can help patients' decision-making regarding these alternative therapies.

Secondary preventing effect of lung cancer in non-high-risk population: A retrospective investigation of opportunistic screening with low-dose computed tomography in Wuhan

Background

Given the mortality benefit of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening on high-risk populations, the retrospective investigation intended to identify the benefits of LDCT on lung cancer screening among the general demographic cohorts.

Methods

We used an opportunistic screening with LDCT implemented during the pandemic in Wuhan to study the impact on subsequent thoracic surgeries, especially surgeries for lung cancer. Patients who received LDCT from October 1, 2019, to July 31, 2020, in three Triple-A accredited hospitals in Wuhan were included in the study. Relative week volumes of both surgeries before and after the chest LDCT screening were compared pairwise. The counts of surgeries for pulmonary nodules or masses, and corresponding pathological results among different gender and age groups were also compared.

Result

The relative weekly volumes of thoracic surgery were significantly greater than those of stomach surgery after the opportunistic screening with LDCT. They were 33% (95% CI, 0.20-0.46; p&lt;0. 001) higher than those of stomach surgery. For every 1,000 chest LDCT scans conducted in a given week, on average, 3.52(95% CI,0.56-6.49, p =0.03) thoracic surgeries were performed in the following week. After the implementation of opportunistic screening with LDCT, there was a higher percentage of young females with pulmonary nodule or mass (64.4% vs. 45.8%, p = 0.032). The fraction of lung cancer surgery in the treatment period was significantly greater than that in the control period (74.09% vs. 68.79%, p=0.007). There was a higher percentage of stage I lung cancer surgery in young and mid-age females than in the senior age group (64% vs. 53%, p= 0.05).

Interpretation

Opportunistic screening with LDCT can advance the early diagnosis window of lung cancer in non-high-risk populations, especially young women who are easy to be ignored.

[99mTc]-labeling and evaluation of a new linear peptide for imaging of glioblastoma as a αvβ3-positive tumor

PURPOSE

In this study, we designed a new linear 6-Hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC)-conjugated peptide (HYNIC-KRWrNM) (M-6) and labeled with technetium-99m for gamma imaging of glioblastoma as a α_vβ₃-positive tumor. We evaluated tumor targeting ability of this radio-peptide and compared with previous ^99mTc-labeled HYNIC-conjugated RGD analogue peptides.

PROCEDURES

One new linear peptide (HYNIC-KRWrNM) (M-6) was designed and labeled with technetium-99m in the presence of 2-[[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl) propan-2-yl] amino] acetic acid (Tricine)/Ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (EDDA) as co-ligand system. Then, this ^99mTc-labeled peptide ([^99mTc]Tc-M-7) was evaluated for in vitro stability in saline and serum, specific binding assay, internalization, and binding affinity (K_d). In addition, we performed biodistribution study and planar imaging on nude mice bearing U87-MG xenograft as a α_vβ₃-positive tumor.

RESULTS

The radiochemical yield of [^99mTc]Tc-M-7 was obtained ˃95%. This ^99mTc-labeled peptide remained stable and intact in saline solution after 24 h incubation. In addition, metabolic stability of this ^99mTc-labeled peptide was obtained ˃60% after 4 h incubation in serum. The K_d value for [^99mTc]Tc-M-7 was obtained 5.2 ± 1.0 nM. Based on biodistribution results in nude mice bearing U87-MG xenograft, tumor/muscle activity ratio was 6.22 and decreased to 1.89 in blocking group at the same time point (4 h p.i.). The blocking experiment results also indicated that tumor uptake and kidney uptake were α_vβ₃-mediated. In comparison with previous HYNIC-conjugated RGD analogue peptides, kidneys had the highest uptake of this ^99mTc-labeled peptide (52.29 ± 11.48 at 1.5 h p.i. and 27.04 ± 0.66%ID/g at 4 h p.i.). Finally, similar to previous ^99mTc-labeled HYNIC-conjugated RGD analogue peptides, [^99mTc]Tc-M-7 showed acceptable tumor uptake after 4 h post-injection (based on ROI technique, target-to-background activity ratio = 3.80).

CONCLUSIONS

This small linear ^99mTc-labeled peptide, with high affinity to α_vβ₃ integrin, desirable water solubility, and cost efficient, demonstrates a potent tumor targeting ability as well as previous HYNIC-conjugated RGD analogue peptides. Hence, [^99mTc]Tc-M-7 can be of service to as a new candidate for early detection of α_vβ₃-positive tumors.

No oncology patient left behind: Challenges and solutions in rural radiation oncology

Health inequities and decreasing median American lifespan, potentiated by the worldwide COVID 19 crisis, have taken centre stage in the public consciousness. Specifically, for this discourse, rural radiation oncology challenges external to the pandemic and unique to the rural American radiation oncology care delivery result from a confluence of the following: a) increased incidence of cancer in the United States;¹ b) recent legislative emphasis on rural healthcare equity initiatives;² c) pandemic-associated delays in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment^3,4 with resultant presentation of advanced oncologic stages; d) social spotlight on healthcare equity and inclusion for disenfranchised populations.⁵

We will attempt to delineate these issues and propose widely applicable common-sense solutions. We will review what has transpired at the University of Kentucky over the last two decades, specifically at radiation oncology centre in Morehead, a clinic in eastern Kentucky in the Appalachian foothills. While much more work remains ahead, this clinic has successfully applied many of the initiatives discussed.

Funding

No relevant funding of any research was involved in the preparation of data or the manuscript.

A novel ADC targeting cell surface fibromodulin in a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are highly aggressive and metastatic. To date, finding efficacious targeted therapy molecules might be the only window of hope to cure cancer. Fibromodulin (FMOD), is ectopically highly expressed on the surface of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and bladder carcinoma cells; thus, it could be a promising molecule for targeted therapy of cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate cell surface expression of FMOD in two TNBC cell lines and develop an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) to target FMOD positive TNBC in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two TNBC-derived cell lines 4T1 and MDA-MB-231 were used in this study. The specific binding of anti-FMOD monoclonal antibody (mAb) was evaluated by flow cytometry and its internalization was verified using phAb amine reactive dye. A microtubulin inhibitor Mertansine (DM1) was used for conjugation to anti-FMOD mAb. The binding efficacy of FMOD-ADC was assessed by immunocytochemistry technique. The anti-FMOD mAb and FMOD-ADC apoptosis induction were measured using Annexin V-FITC and flow cytometry. Tumor growth inhibition of anti-FMOD mAb and FMOD-ADC was evaluated using BALB/c mice injected with 4T1 cells.

RESULTS

Our results indicate that both anti-FMOD mAb and FMOD-ADC recognize cell surface FMOD molecules. FMOD-ADC could induce apoptosis in 4T1 and MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. In vivo tumor growth inhibition was observed using FMOD-ADC in 4T1 inoculated BALB/c mice.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggests high cell surface FMOD expression could be a novel bio-marker TNBCs. Furthermore, FMOD-ADC could be a promising candidate for targeting TNBCs.

A machine learning model for separating epithelial and stromal regions in oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas using H&E-stained histology images: A multi-center, retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Tissue slides from Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OC-SCC), particularly the epithelial regions, hold morphologic features that are both diagnostic and prognostic. Yet, previously developed approaches for automated epithelium segmentation in OC-SCC have not been independently tested in a multi-center setting. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness and applicability of a convolutional neural network (CNN) model to perform epithelial segmentation using digitized H&E-stained diagnostic slides from OC-SCC patients in a multi-center setting.

METHODS

A CNN model was developed to segment the epithelial regions of digitized slides (n = 810), retrospectively collected from five different centers. Deep learning models were trained and validated using well-annotated tissue microarray (TMA) images (n = 212) at various magnifications. The best performing model was locked down and used for independent testing with a total of 478 whole-slide images (WSIs). Manually annotated epithelial regions were used as the reference standard for evaluation. We also compared the model generated results with IHC-stained epithelium (n = 120) as the reference.

RESULTS

The locked-down CNN model trained on the TMA image training cohorts with 10x magnification achieved the best segmentation performance. The locked-down model performed consistently and yielded Pixel Accuracy, Recall Rate, Precision Rate, and Dice Coefficient that ranged from 95.8% to 96.6%, 79.1% to 93.8%, 85.7% to 89.3%, and 82.3% to 89.0%, respectively for the three independent testing WSI cohorts.

CONCLUSION

The automated model achieved a consistently accurate performance for automated epithelial region segmentation compared to manual annotations. This model could be integrated into a computer-aided diagnosis or prognosis system.

A synopsis of global frontiers in fertility preservation

Since 2007, the Oncofertility Consortium Annual Conference has brought together a diverse network of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and professional levels to disseminate emerging basic and clinical research findings in fertility preservation. This network also developed enduring educational materials to accelerate the pace and quality of field-wide scientific communication. Between 2007 and 2019, the Oncofertility Consortium Annual Conference was held as an in-person event in Chicago, IL. The conference attracted approximately 250 attendees each year representing 20 countries around the world. In 2020, however, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this paradigm and precluded an in-person meeting. Nevertheless, there remained an undeniable demand for the oncofertility community to convene. To maintain the momentum of the field, the Oncofertility Consortium hosted a day-long virtual meeting on March 5, 2021, with the theme of "Oncofertility Around the Globe" to highlight the diversity of clinical care and translational research that is ongoing around the world in this discipline. This virtual meeting was hosted using the vFairs ® conference platform and allowed over 700 people to participate, many of whom were first-time conference attendees. The agenda featured concurrent sessions from presenters in six continents which provided attendees a complete overview of the field and furthered our mission to create a global community of oncofertility practice. This paper provides a synopsis of talks delivered at this event and highlights the new advances and frontiers in the fields of oncofertility and fertility preservation around the globe from clinical practice and patient-centered efforts to translational research.

Skin Lesion Classification Using Collective Intelligence of Multiple Neural Networks

Skin lesion detection and analysis are very important because skin cancer must be found in its early stages and treated immediately. Once installed in the body, skin cancer can easily spread to other body parts. Early detection would represent a very important aspect since, by ensuring correct treatment, it could be curable. Thus, by taking all these issues into consideration, there is a need for highly accurate computer-aided systems to assist medical staff in the early detection of malignant skin lesions. In this paper, we propose a skin lesion classification system based on deep learning techniques and collective intelligence, which involves multiple convolutional neural networks, trained on the HAM10000 dataset, which is able to predict seven skin lesions including melanoma. The convolutional neural networks experimentally chosen, considering their performances, to implement the collective intelligence-based system for this purpose are: AlexNet, GoogLeNet, GoogLeNet-Places365, MobileNet-V2, Xception, ResNet-50, ResNet-101, InceptionResNet-V2 and DenseNet201. We then analyzed the performances of each of the above-mentioned convolutional neural networks to obtain a weight matrix whose elements are weights associated with neural networks and classes of lesions. Based on this matrix, a new decision matrix was used to build the multi-network ensemble system (Collective Intelligence-based System), combining each of individual neural network decision into a decision fusion module (Collective Decision Block). This module would then have the responsibility to take a final and more accurate decision related to the prediction based on the associated weights of each network output. The validation accuracy of the proposed system is about 3 percent better than that of the best performing individual network.

Sociodemographic disparities in molecular testing for breast cancer

PURPOSE

Molecular testing is a critical component of breast cancer care used to identify the presence of estrogen and/or progesterone receptors (jointly hormone receptors-HRs) and the expression of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) on a tumor. Our objective was to characterize trends and predictors of lack of molecular testing among female breast cancer patients overall and by sociodemographic characteristics.

METHODS

We examined data on female breast cancer patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2016 from Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results-18. Joinpoint regression analyses assessed annual percent change (APC) in lack of ER, PR, or HER2 testing. Multivariable, multilevel logistic regression models identified factors associated with lack of molecular testing.

RESULTS

A nominally lower proportion of rural patients did not receive molecular testing (e.g., 1.8% in rural vs. 2.3% in urban for HER2). For all tests, a higher proportion of Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black women were not tested. Across all characteristics, improvement in testing was noted, although disparities among groups remained. For example, lack of HER2 testing improved from 3.2 to 1.7% in White patients (APC = - 10.05) but was consistently higher in Black patients 3.9 to 2.3% (APC = - 8.21). Multivariable, multilevel models showed that older, non-Hispanic Black, and unpartnered women were at greater odds of not receiving molecular testing.

CONCLUSIONS

While lack of molecular testing of breast cancer patients is relatively rare, racial/ethnic, insurance status, and age-related disparities have been identified. To reduce testing and downstream treatment and outcome disparities, it is imperative for all breast cancer patients to receive molecular testing.

Clinical Decision Support with or without Shared Decision Making to Improve Preventive Cancer Care: A Cluster-Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Innovative interventions are needed to address gaps in preventive cancer care, especially in rural areas. This study evaluated the impact of clinical decision support (CDS) with and without shared decision making (SDM) on cancer-screening completion.

METHODS

In this 3-arm, parallel-group, cluster-randomized trial conducted at a predominantly rural medical group, 34 primary care clinics were randomized to clinical decision support (CDS), CDS plus shared decision making (CDS+SDM), or usual care (UC). The CDS applied web-based clinical algorithms identifying patients overdue for United States Preventive Services Task Force-recommended preventive cancer care and presented evidence-based recommendations to patients and providers on printouts and on the electronic health record interface. Patients in the CDS+SDM clinic also received shared decision-making tools (SDMTs). The primary outcome was a composite indicator of the proportion of patients overdue for breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening at index who were up to date on these 1 y later.

RESULTS

From August 1, 2018, to March 15, 2019, 69,405 patients aged 21 to 74 y had visits at study clinics and 25,198 were overdue for 1 or more cancer screening tests at an index visit. At 12-mo follow-up, 9,543 of these (37.9%) were up to date on the composite endpoint. The adjusted, model-derived percentage of patients up to date was 36.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34.0-39.1) in the UC group, 38.1% (95% CI: 35.5-40.9) in the CDS group, and 34.4% (95% CI: 31.8-37.2) in the CDS+SDM group. For all comparisons, the screening rates were higher than UC in the CDS group and lower than UC in the CDS+SDM group, although these differences did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

The CDS did not significantly increase cancer-screening rates. Exploratory analyses suggest a deeper understanding of how SDM and CDS interact to affect cancer prevention decisions is needed. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02986230, December 6, 2016.

The ambiguous role of obesity in oncology by promoting cancer but boosting antitumor immunotherapy

Obesity is nowadays considered a pandemic which prevalence's has been steadily increasingly in western countries. It is a dynamic, complex, and multifactorial disease which propitiates the development of several metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer. Excessive adipose tissue has been causally related to cancer progression and is a preventable risk factor for overall and cancer-specific survival, associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. The onset of obesity features a state of chronic low-grade inflammation and secretion of a diversity of adipocyte-derived molecules (adipokines, cytokines, hormones), responsible for altering the metabolic, inflammatory, and immune landscape. The crosstalk between adipocytes and tumor cells fuels the tumor microenvironment with pro-inflammatory factors, promoting tissue injury, mutagenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Although classically established as a risk factor for cancer and treatment toxicity, recent evidence suggests mild obesity is related to better outcomes, with obese cancer patients showing better responses to treatment when compared to lean cancer patients. This phenomenon is termed obesity paradox and has been reported in different types and stages of cancer. The mechanisms underlying this paradoxical relationship between obesity and cancer are still not fully described but point to systemic alterations in metabolic fitness and modulation of the tumor microenvironment by obesity-associated molecules. Obesity impacts the response to cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and has been reported as having a positive association with immune checkpoint therapy. In this review, we discuss obesity's association to inflammation and cancer, also highlighting potential physiological and biological mechanisms underlying this association, hoping to clarify the existence and impact of obesity paradox in cancer development and treatment.

Perceptions of Older Adult Care Among Ambulatory Oncology Nurses

BACKGROUND

Most cancer treatment is provided in the ambulatory setting; thus, it is important to know what issues ambulatory oncology nurses identify in their practice with older cancer patients as well as resources that are helpful or are needed.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to capture ambulatory oncology nurses' perceptions of the unique aspects of caring for older patients and to present the development process, content validity testing, and psychometric evaluation of a survey designed to denote nurse perceptions of older adult care.

METHODS

An expert panel and 2 focus groups informed the development of a 34-item survey scored on a 5-point Likert-type agreement scale and 2 open-ended questions. Psychometric testing and descriptive statistics summarized the quantitative responses. Using thematic analysis, we identified the themes from the open-ended responses.

RESULTS

The survey demonstrated good psychometric qualities. A total of 401 participants, mostly staff from large, academic cancer centers, reported an average total score of 3.76, indicating generally positive perceptions of older adult care. The 269 (67%) open-ended responses were categorized into 4 main themes: concerns over medical issues, the need for specialized services, adequate support systems, and appropriate communication.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most perceived their geriatric practice environment favorably, nurses recognized the complexity of caring for older adults with cancer. They identified gaps in care, such as the need for geriatric specialists and better community resources, paid by insurance.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Nurses need more time in the clinic to address complex advanced care planning, symptom burden and home services of older adults with cancer. Each institution should seek feedback from nurses to guide resource allocation.

Development and Validation of Nomogram for Hospital Mortality in Immunocompromised Patients with Severe Pneumonia in Intensive Care Units: A Single-Center, Retrospective Cohort Study

Purpose

Risk factors and prognostic model of fatal outcomes need to be investigated for the increasing number of immunocompromised hosts (ICHs) who are hospitalized for severe pneumonia with high hospital mortality.

Patients and Methods

In this single-center, retrospective study, we recruited 1,933 ICHs with severe pneumonia who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in West China hospital, Sichuan university, China between January, 2012 and December, 2018. Clinical features, laboratory findings, and fatal outcomes were collected from electronic medical records. Patients were randomly separated into a 70% training set (n=1,353) and a 30% testing set (n=580) for the development and validation of a prediction model. All data within 24 hours of ICU admission were compared between survivors and non-survivors. The risk factors were identified through LASSO and multivariate logistic regression analysis, and then used to develop a predicting nomogram. The nomogram for predicting hospital mortality of ICHs with severe pneumonia in the ICU was validated by C-index, AUC (area under the curve), calibration curve, and Decision Curve Analysis (DCA).

Results

Eight risk factors, including age, fever, dyspnea, chronic renal disease, platelet counts, neutrophil counts, PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio, and the requirement for vasopressors, were adopted in a nomogram for predicting hospital mortality. The nomogram had great predicting accuracy with a C-index of 0.819 (95% CI=0.795–0.842) in the training set, and a C-index of 0.819 (95% CI=0.783–0.855) in the testing set for hospital mortality. Additionally, the nomogram had well-fitted calibration curves. DCA demonstrated that the nomogram was clinically beneficial.

Conclusion

This study developed a novel nomogram for predicting hospital mortality of ICHs with severe pneumonia in the ICU. Validation showed good discriminatory ability and calibration, indicating that the nomogram was expected to be a superior predictive tool for doctors to identify risk factors and predict mortality, and might be generally applied in clinical practice after more external validations.

Experience of Time and Subjective Age When Facing a Limited Lifetime: The Case of Older Adults with Advanced Cancer

Objectives

We addressed two questions: (1) Does advanced cancer in later life affect a person’s awareness of time and their subjective age? (2) Are awareness of time and subjective age associated with distress, perceived quality of life, and depression?

Methods

We assessed patients suffering terminal cancer (OAC, n = 91) and older adults free of any life-threatening disease (OA, n = 89), all subjects being aged 50 years or older.

Results

Older adults with advanced cancer perceived time more strongly as being a finite resource and felt significantly older than OA controls. Feeling younger was meaningfully related with better quality of life and less distress. In the OA group, feeling younger was also associated to reduced depression. Perceiving time as a finite resource was related to higher quality of life in the OA group.

Discussion

Major indicators of an older person’s awareness of time and subjective aging differ between those being confronted with advanced cancer versus controls.

Dynamic optimization reveals alveolar epithelial cells as key mediators of host defense in invasive aspergillosis

Aspergillus fumigatus is an important human fungal pathogen and its conidia are constantly inhaled by humans. In immunocompromised individuals, conidia can grow out as hyphae that damage lung epithelium. The resulting invasive aspergillosis is associated with devastating mortality rates. Since infection is a race between the innate immune system and the outgrowth of A. fumigatus conidia, we use dynamic optimization to obtain insight into the recruitment and depletion of alveolar macrophages and neutrophils. Using this model, we obtain key insights into major determinants of infection outcome on host and pathogen side. On the pathogen side, we predict in silico and confirm in vitro that germination speed is an important virulence trait of fungal pathogens due to the vulnerability of conidia against host defense. On the host side, we found that epithelial cells, which have been underappreciated, play a role in fungal clearance and are potent mediators of cytokine release. Both predictions were confirmed by in vitro experiments on established cell lines as well as primary lung cells. Further, our model affirms the importance of neutrophils in invasive aspergillosis and underlines that the role of macrophages remains elusive. We expect that our model will contribute to improvement of treatment protocols by focusing on the critical components of immune response to fungi but also fungal virulence traits.

Demographic and Epidemiological Contributions to Recent Trends in Cancer Incidence in Hong Kong

BACKGROUND

Hong Kong has an ageing Chinese population with high life expectancy and a rising number of cancer cases. While population ageing could lead to higher incidence, we aim to quantify the demographic and epidemiological contributions to this trend by disentangling the effect of these factors.

METHODS

We analysed secular trends of cancer incidences of all cancer sites combined, including the five top cancers in men and women in Hong Kong in 1983-2017, by disentangling effects of demographics (ageing population and population growth) and cancer risk/rate change using the RiskDiff methodology.

RESULTS

Overall, age-standardised incidences of all cancers combined in women and in men declined over the study period (-5.3% for women, -30.2% for men), but total incident cancer case counts increased dramatically (156.5% for women, 96% for men). This increase was primarily due to ageing and increasing population (95% age, 66.1% growth for women, and 119.4% age, 25.4% growth for men), while disease risk for all cancers combined has a decreasing trend (-4.5% for women and -48.8% for men). For the site-specific risk changes among the most five common cancer types, there were increases in risks of prostate and colorectal cancers in men, and breast, endometrial, and thyroid cancers in women.

CONCLUSION

Demographic changes and ageing in our Chinese population resulted in a marked increase in the number of cancer diagnoses in Hong Kong in past decades. The surge in incident case counts overall is expected to stress the healthcare system in terms of the increased demand of healthcare professionals. Cancer surveillance should be enhanced in view of the growing demand from older patients and the cancer types with fast-increasing incidence rates in our population.

Factors influencing utilization of cancer rehabilitation services among older breast cancer survivors in the USA: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

Many older breast cancer survivors experience long-term disability due to cancer and cancer-related treatments. However, less than 20% of older breast cancer survivors utilize cancer rehabilitation services to address cancer-related disability. Further understanding of survivor experiences may reveal strategies to improve uptake cancer rehabilitation services in the USA.

METHODS

Older breast cancer survivors were recruited from university-based registries, previous breast cancer research studies at our institution, community support groups, and geriatric oncology clinics. Participants completed a brief online survey to capture demographic and clinical characteristics. Semi-structured telephone-based interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Interviews facilitated conversation about access to rehabilitation and indications for cancer rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 14) were, on average, 71 years old, primarily White, and an average of 36.5 months post-diagnosis. Five participants had formally received rehabilitation for a cancer-related concern. Participants described seven factors that influenced utilization of cancer rehabilitation services: (1) emerging awareness of disability; (2) coping styles; (3) comparison of cancer experience with others; (4) provider interaction; (5) perceptions of cancer diagnosis; (6) social support; and (7) cost of rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Older breast cancer survivors consider multiple factors when determining utilization of cancer rehabilitation services. Development of shared decision-making tools addressing the seven described factors may enhance communication and referral to cancer rehabilitation services. Intervention research should adopt frameworks that enhance healthcare accessibility to improve relevance of intervention content and delivery features for older breast cancer survivors.

Health Consumer Social Economic Factors and Health Conditions as Predictor for Health Literacy in Radiology Domain

Patient literacy of radiology is imperative for patient engagement in care and management of their own health. Little is known about the factors that could predict patient literacy of radiology reports, testing, or treatment. This study aims to identify the most important factors of health consumer social economic and health conditions as a predictor of health literacy in the radiology domain. The study recruited 616 participants using <ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://Amazon.com">Amazon.com</ext-link>’s Mechanical Turk (MTURK) and presented these participants with our questionnaire. We measured the level of participants’ radiology awareness, social factors, and health status. Descriptive statics including Chi-Square and linear regression models were used to test if the factors could predict radiology literacy. The area under the receiver–operator curve was calculated to determine the prediction accuracy of the regression models. linear regression indicated that 15 of the 19 social-economic factors and health conditions were significantly associated with radiology literacy (P < .05). On the other hand, only 12 of the 19 factors were significant by using Pearson Chi-Square (P < .05). Stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated the r squared linear of 9 out of 12 common factors. These factors are the level of education, smoking, radiology experience, insurance status, white race, employment status, disability status, gender, and income at 0.209. These nine factors had a good ability to predict radiology literacy (area under the receiver operator curve of 0.677 [95%CI 0.549; 0.804, P = 0.013]). Social economic factors and health conditions can be used to successfully predict radiology literacy. We were able to successfully identify the predictive factors that have a high association with the radiology literacy by comparing social factors and health status versus radiology awareness.

Robotic Prostatectomy and Prostate Cancer-Related Medicaid Spending: Evidence from New York State

BACKGROUND

Robotic prostatectomy is a costly new technology, but the costs may be offset by changes in treatment patterns. The net effect of this technology on Medicaid spending has not been assessed.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the association of the local availability of robotic surgical technology with choice of initial treatment for prostate cancer and total prostate cancer-related treatment costs.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study used New York State Medicaid data to examine the experience of 9564 Medicaid beneficiaries 40-64 years old who received a prostate biopsy between 2008 and 2017 and were diagnosed with prostate cancer. The local availability of robotic surgical technology was measured as distance from zip code centroids of patient's residence to the nearest hospital with a robot and the annual number of robotic prostatectomies performed in the Hospital Referral Region.

MAIN MEASURES

Multivariate linear models were used to relate regional access to robots to the choice of initial therapy and prostate cancer treatment costs during the year after diagnosis.

KEY RESULTS

The mean age of the sample of 9564 men was 58 years; 30% of the sample were White, 26% were Black, and 22% were Hispanic. Doubling the distance to the nearest hospital with a robot was associated with a reduction in robotic surgery rates of 3.7 percentage points and an increase in the rate of use of radiation therapy of 5.2 percentage points. Increasing the annual number of robotic surgeries performed in a region by 10 was associated with a decrease in the probability of undergoing radiation therapy of 0.6 percentage point and a $434 reduction in total prostate cancer-related costs per Medicaid patient.

CONCLUSIONS

A full accounting of the costs of a new technology will depend on when it is used and the payment rate for its use relative to payment rates for substitutes.

Trends in U.S. Population Health: The Central Role of Policies, Politics, and Profits

Recent trends in U.S. health have been mixed, with improvements among some groups and geographic areas alongside declines among others. Medical sociologists have contributed to the understanding of those disparate trends, although important questions remain. In this article, we review trends since the 1980s in key indicators of U.S. health and weigh evidence from the last decade on their causes. To better understand contemporary trends in health, we propose that commonly used conceptual frameworks, such as social determinants of health, should be strengthened by prominently incorporating commercial, political-economic, and legal determinants. We illustrate how these structural determinants can provide new insights into health trends, using disparate health trajectories across U.S. states as an example. We conclude with suggestions for future research: focusing on structural causes of health trends and inequalities, expanding interdisciplinary perspectives, and integrating methods better equipped to handle the complexity of causal processes driving health trends and inequalities.

Employment After Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Among Women in the Sister and the Two Sister Studies

Purpose Women undergoing diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer may face challenges in employment. We investigated the impact of demographic, clinical, workplace, and psychosocial characteristics on loss of employment after a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. We further describe changes in work status and work environment for cancer survivors who sustain employment. Methods We analyzed responses from a survey of breast cancer survivors from the Sister Study and the Two Sister Study cohorts who reported being employed at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis and who reported employment status (lost vs. sustained employment) at the time of survey administration. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the effects of lymphedema, neuropathy, problems with memory or attention, social support, health insurance, and sick leave on lost employment, adjusting for demographic characteristics, cancer stage, treatment, and general health. Results Of the 1675 respondents who reported being employed at the time of diagnosis, 83.5% reported being 'currently' employed at the time of the survey. Older age, peripheral neuropathy, lack of sick leave, late stage at diagnosis, a recurrence or a new cancer, problems with memory or attention, and poor general health were significantly associated with lost employment. Conclusions The long-term effects of breast cancer treatment and workplace provisions for leave and accommodation may have a substantial effect on women's ability to sustain employment. The findings from this study highlight challenges reported by cancer survivors that may inform clinical and occupational interventions to support survivors' return to work.

Topological analysis of interaction patterns in cancer-specific gene regulatory network: persistent homology approach

In this study, we investigated cancer cellular networks in the context of gene interactions and their associated patterns in order to recognize the structural features underlying this disease. We aim to propose that the quest of understanding cancer takes us beyond pairwise interactions between genes to a higher-order construction. We characterize the most prominent network deviations in the gene interaction patterns between cancer and normal samples that contribute to the complexity of this disease. What we hope is that through understanding these interaction patterns we will notice a deeper structure in the cancer network. This study uncovers the significant deviations that topological features in cancerous cells show from the healthy one, where the last stage of filtration confirms the importance of one-dimensional holes (topological loops) in cancerous cells and two-dimensional holes (topological voids) in healthy cells. In the small threshold region, the drop in the number of connected components of the cancer network, along with the rise in the number of loops and voids, all occurring at some smaller weight values compared to the normal case, reveals the cancerous network tendency to certain pathways.

Distinctions Between Self-Report and Performance-Based Measures of Physical Function in Older Patients Prior to Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The maintenance of physical function (PF) is an extremely important outcome for elderly people.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to identify differences in the subjective and objective measures of PF between younger older adults (YOAs, 60-69 years of age) and older adults (OA, ≥70 years of age), to compare the PF scores with age-matched samples from the general population, and to evaluate for associations between the subjective and objective measures of PF.

METHODS

Patients (n = 139) were assessed using subjective (ie, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality-of-Life Questionnaire) and objective (ie, Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]) measures prior to chemotherapy (CTX). Data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests.

RESULTS

No differences were found between the 2 age groups in any of the subjective or objective measures of PF. Compared with the age-matched general population, both YOAs and OAs had significantly lower scores in both measures of PF. Large effect sizes were found for differences in European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality-of-Life Questionnaire role function, SPPB balance, and SPPB total scores between the YOA group and the age-matched general population samples. Correlations between the subjective and objective measures were low.

CONCLUSIONS

Older patients with cancer have lower PF than their age-matched general population prior to CTX. Longitudinal studies are warranted to evaluate for changes in PF during and following CTX.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Nurses need to perform routine assessments of PF in older oncology patients prior to CTX. Our findings suggest that SPPB gait speed may be a useful screening measure for PF in older patients.

Assessment of gender representation in clinical trials leading to FDA approval for oncology therapeutics between 2014 and 2019: A systematic review-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Ensuring representative data accrual in clinical trials is important to safeguard the generalizability of results and to minimize disparities in care. This study's goal was to evaluate differences in gender representation in trials leading to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cancer drug approvals.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted from January 2014 to April 2019 using PubMed and the National Institutes of Health trials registry for primary trial reports. The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program and US Census were consulted for national cancer incidence. The outcome was an enrollment incidence disparity (EID), which was calculated as the difference between male and female trial enrollment and national incidence, with positive values representing male overrepresentation.

RESULTS

There were 149 clinical trials with 59,988 participants-60.3% and 39.7% were male and female, respectively-leading to 127 oncology drug approvals. The US incidence rates were 55.4% for men versus 44.6% for women. Gender representation varied by specific tumor type. Most notably, women were underrepresented in thyroid cancer (EID, +27.4%), whereas men were underrepresented in soft tissue cancer (EID, -26.1%). Overall, women were underrepresented when compared with expected incidence (EID, +4.9%; 42% of trials).

CONCLUSIONS

For many specific tumor types, women are underrepresented in clinical trials leading to FDA oncology drug approvals. It is critical to better align clinical trial cohort demographics and the populations to which these data will be extrapolated.

LAY SUMMARY

This study assesses whether gender disparities exist in clinical trials leading to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cancer drug approvals. From January 2014 to April 2019, 149 clinical trials leading to FDA oncology drug approvals showed 60.3% and 39.7% of the enrollees were male and female, respectively. Gender representation varied by specific tumor when compared with the expected incidence rate of cancer in the United States, although women were more often underrepresented. Increased efforts are needed with regard to ensuring equitable representation in oncology clinical trials.

Cancer Incidence Projections in the United States Between 2015 and 2050

INTRODUCTION

The number of adults entering the age groups at greatest risk for being diagnosed with cancer is increasing. Projecting cancer incidence can help the cancer control community plan and evaluate prevention strategies aimed at reducing the growing number of cancer cases.

METHODS

We used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program and the US Census Bureau to estimate average, annual, age-standardized cancer incidence rates and case counts (for all sites combined and top 22 invasive cancers) in the US for 2015 and to project cancer rates and counts to 2050. We used age, period, and cohort models to inform projections.

RESULTS

Between 2015 and 2050, we predict the overall age-standardized incidence rate (proxy for population risk for being diagnosed with cancer) to stabilize in women (1%) and decrease in men (-9%). Cancers with the largest change in risk include a 34% reduction for lung and bronchus and a 32% increase for corpus uterine (32%). Because of the growth and aging of the US population, we predict that the annual number of cancer cases will increase 49%, from 1,534,500 in 2015 to 2,286,300 in 2050, with the largest percentage increase among adults aged ≥75 years. Cancers with the largest projected absolute increase include female breast, colon and rectum, and prostate.

DISCUSSION

By 2050, we predict the total number of incident cases to increase by almost 50% as a result of the growth and aging of the US population. A greater emphasis on cancer risk reduction is needed to counter these trends.

Current Perspective on the Natural Compounds and Drug Delivery Techniques in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Simple Summary

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the belligerent neoplasia that metastasize to other brain regions and invade nearby healthy tissues. However, the treatments available are associated with some limitations, such as high variations in solid tumors and deregulation of multiple cellular pathways. The heterogeneity of the GBM tumor and its aggressive infiltration into the nearby tissues makes it difficult to treat. Hence, the development of multimodality therapy that can be more effective, novel, with fewer side effects, improving the prognosis for GBM is highly desired. This review evaluated the use of natural phytoconstituents as an alternative for the development of a new therapeutic strategy. The key aspects of GBM and the potential of drug delivery techniques were also assessed, for tumor site delivery with limited side-effects. These efforts will help to provide better therapeutic options to combat GBM in future.

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the debilitating brain tumors, being associated with extremely poor prognosis and short median patient survival. GBM is associated with complex pathogenesis with alterations in various cellular signaling events, that participate in cell proliferation and survival. The impairment in cellular redox pathways leads to tumorigenesis. The current standard pharmacological regimen available for glioblastomas, such as radiotherapy and surgical resection following treatment with chemotherapeutic drug temozolomide, remains fatal, due to drug resistance, metastasis and tumor recurrence. Thus, the demand for an effective therapeutic strategy for GBM remains elusive. Hopefully, novel products from natural compounds are suggested as possible solutions. They protect glial cells by reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting pro-oncogene events and intensifying the potent anti-tumor therapies. Targeting aberrant cellular pathways in the amelioration of GBM could promote the development of new therapeutic options that improve patient quality of life and extend survival. Consequently, our review emphasizes several natural compounds in GBM treatment. We also assessed the potential of drug delivery techniques such as nanoparticles, Gliadel wafers and drug delivery using cellular carriers which could lead to a novel path for the obliteration of GBM.

Changes in cancer incidence and outcomes among kidney transplant recipients in the United States over a thirty-year period

Recipients of kidney transplants have elevated cancer risk compared with the general population. Improvements over time in transplant care and cancer treatment may have affected incidence and outcomes of cancer among recipients of kidney transplant. To evaluate this, we used linked United States transplant and cancer registry data to study 101,014 adult recipients of kidney transplants over three decades (1987-1996, 1997-2006, 2007-2016). Poisson regression was used to assess trends in incidence for cancer overall and seven common cancers. Associations of cancer with risk of death-censored graft failure (DCGF) and death with functioning graft (DWFG) were evaluated with Cox regression. We also estimated absolute risks of DCGF and graft failure following cancer for recipients transplanted in 2007-2016. There was no significant change in the incidence of cancer overall or for six common cancers in recipients across the 1987-2016 period. Only the incidence of prostate cancer significantly decreased across this period after multivariate adjustment. Among recipients of kidney transplants with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, there were significant declines over time in elevated risks for DCGF and DWFG but no significant changes for other combined cancers. For recipients transplanted in the most recent period (2007-2016), risks following cancer diagnosis remained high, with 38% experiencing DWFG and 14% graft failure within four years of diagnosis. Absolute risk of DWFG was especially high following lung cancer (78%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (38%), melanoma (35%), and colorectal cancer (49%). Thus, across a 30-year period in the United States, there was no overall change in cancer incidence among recipients of kidney transplants. Despite improvements for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality.